Monday, October 14, 2013

London Places: Churchill War Rooms

entrance to Churchill War Rooms in London

I'm a big history geek. Especially British history. Especially World War II. Seriously, Winston Churchill is fascinating.

Winston Churchill in London

So when I got to spend my birthday in London last year, I decided to go to the Churchill War Rooms with my friend Alysen.

I know, I know; clearly, I know how to have a good time.

inside Churchill's War Room museum

If you like museums & history, you've got to visit this place. The Churchill War Rooms were basically a secret underground bunker during WWII. There are whole areas down there that were left exactly as they were when the war ended in 1945, ash trays & everything.

You can see the Map Room, the original front door of No. 10 Downing Street, & the room Clementine Churchill stayed in when she visited.

Winston Churchill in the Map Room

There's also a new Churchill Museum that walks you through his life. Alysen & I spent an inordinate amount of time wandering around down there listening to old speeches & typing on the typewriters.

And don't miss the gift shop (my favourite part of most museums.) Besides the usual books, postcards & memorabilia, this one has reproductions of a bunch of old WWII posters.
WWII poster: Churchill
WWII poster: Make do & mend

If you want a little taste of what London was like during the Blitz, you've got to check out the Churchill War Rooms.

Churchill War Rooms images via Visit London, The Sun, IWMThe Telegraph, here, & the Imperial War Museum

1 comment:

  1. I visited the war rooms with a friend when I was passing through London on my way to move to Paris. It was so fascinating!! Such an incredible chapter of history, and to see this exhibition really brought it to life. :)

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